Russian Police Detain Scores After Pro-, Antigay Activists Clash

Police detained scores of people after pro- and antigay activists clashed in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

The June 29 clashes erupted when up to 100 gay activists took part in a march to protest against a bill banning homosexual "propaganda."

They were confronted by an equal number of antigay protesters, who threw stones and eggs.

The Russian parliament adopted the law two weeks ago. It sets heavy fines for "propaganda for nontraditional sexual relations" to minors.

The bill has yet to be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.

The violence in St. Petersburg highlights increasing intolerance against gay people in Russian society where 15 percent of about 900 gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender respondents reported attacks in an online survey last year.